Electric switch



Au 11, 1931. G. J. MEUER 1 1,818,265

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 29, 1930 Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE J. HEU'ER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOIER' T CUTLER-HAMMER, INC, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATIQN OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC SWITCH Applieationjled September 29, 1930. Serial No. 485,021.

Another object is to provide s-group or elements the major number of which may be utilized in." constructing switches of difierent types, such as singleor multiple-circuit controlling switches,

Another object is to provide switches of the ei'iorenncntioned character having stutionary end movable contocts of improved form,

ther objects end advantages of the invention hereinafter eppesr,

The occoinpsnying drawings illustrate a certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the enubodirnents illustrated ere susceptible of modification without departing from the scope of the appended cleinis,

ln the drawings,

l iggnre l is s verticel sectionel view or n three-position switch constructed in eccordonce with my invention Fig, 2 is e. bottom plan view of the switch shown in Fig.1.,

Fig. 3 is s, perspective view, in separated relation, of the several parts of the switch shown in Fig. L

Fig, lis a fraentary sectional view of a switch having a modified form of actuating short end bushing, e a

Fig, 5 is an enlarged irentary sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the stationary contacts flush with the upper surface of the insulating base.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form or switch base adapted for assembly with other of the parts shown in Fig. 1 to provide atwoposition switch, that is, a switch having one on position and one off position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the stop post or lug shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a fourpositioh switch constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 9 is a view partly in vertical section, on the lined-9 of Fig. 8, and partly in side elevation, showing the manner of securing certain voi the terminal plates against movement relatively to the base.

Referring first to the device illustrated in Figs. 1., 2, 3 and 5, the numeral designates at relatively thin but relatively rigid hose consisting of a flat punched plate of insulsting rneterisl,said base being preferably of sub stantielly circular contour. Bose l5 is provided wit h o, control circular opening in end at multiplicity of openings l7, l8, 19, 2t), end 22 arranged symmetrically thereubout, llhose ends of openings l8, i9, 21 and 22 which open to the upper surface of hose l5 ore preferably provided with flsred end countersunk walls, as indicated in F l p as shown in detail in Fig. 5. Said openings ere thus adapted to receive, in e flush rein tion with the upper surface of base 15, flared upper ends 1%, i9", 21 and 22 of suit able eyelets,the opposite ends ol eyelets 'being adopted to penetrate correspond ing openings in terminal plates l8, it) end 21 end being upset over the letter to secure the same to the lower surface of hose lo. The respective terminal plates ore provided with binding screws 18 19 end 21 and the hose 15 is provided with suitable openings to recorninodate the shanlrs of said screws.

As will be understood the dared ends l8",

l9, 211' and 22 form the stationary contacts of the switch, the arrangement being such that contacts 18, 21' may be bridged, or con tacts 19*, 22* may be bridged, or all of said contacts may be disengaged by the movable contsctor, The movable bridging contactor of the switch preferably comprises a fist punched plate 23 of insulating material,

said plate being of substantially elliptical contour but having slightly inted ends. Plate 23 is provided with an elongated intermediate opening 24 and openings 25 and 26 adjacent to opposite ends thereof.

Adapted to lie against the lower face of plate 23 is a flat punched sheet metal plate 27 having an intermediate opening 28 registcring with but considerably larger than the opening 2l,plate 27 also having openings 29 and 30 adapted to register with the openings 25 and 26, respectively. A pair of convex-headed hollowshank rivets 31 and are providcd,the shanks of said rivets being adapted to penetrate the respective pairs of registering openings 29, 25 and 30, 26 in plates 27 and 23. and being upset over the latter (as shown in Fig. 1) to rigidly secure said parts to each other.

Rigidly secured to base 15 in a well known manner, as by means of integral lugs 53 adapted to register with suitable notches in the periphery of said base and bent inwardly over the lower surface of the latter, is a substantially dome-shaped metal housing 33 having a central opening 31, preferably of poly onal contour, to receive the reduced lower end 35 of an externally threaded hollow metal bushing 3 i,said end 35 being upset over the inner surface of housing 33 (as shown in Fig. 1) to rigidly secure said bushing and housing to each other.

Rotatable within the bushing 36 is a switch actuating shaft 37 whichv preferably consists of a flat sheet metal punching. Shaft 37 is provided with a pair of lateral projections 38 and 39 which are adapted to bear against the lower end surface -10 of the bushing. One end 41 of the shaft projects upwardly beyond the bushing and is adapted to have fitted thereonto a metal knob 42 having a cylindrical recess 43. Knob 42 has a shank or neck portion which is swaged at diametrically opposite points to upset the same against the opposite edges of end portion 41 of the shaft, whereby said knob and shaft are rigidly and permanently interlocked against movement relatively to. each other, as indicated at 44. As shown the lower surface 45 of said shank is adapted to bear against the upper end of bushing 36.

The lower portion -16 of shaft 37 is adapted to extend downwardly through the opening 21 in insulating plate 23 for driving engagement with the walls of said opening,-it being noted that the opening 28 in metal plate 27 is suliiciently-large to insure against contact of the latterwith said shaft. The lower end of portion -16 is of reduced width, as in dicated at 4.7, to fit within the central opening 16 in base 15, wherebythe lower end of the shaft is properly centered.

Intcrposed between the arms 38, 39 of the shaft and the upper surface of insulating plate 23 is a coiled compression spring 48. said spring being normally compressed to a predetermined degree by assembly of the switch parts in the manner aforedescribed. This spring is adapted to bias the bridging contactor into engagement with the ripper surface of base 15, so that upon rotation of shaft 37 the bridging contactor tends to snap into engagement with. the diametrically opposed pairs 18*, 21 or 19*, 22 of stationary cont-acts or into engagement with the' diametrically opposed pairs of openings 17, 20 in base-15. The switch as so constructed is adapted to complete alternative electric circuits in its respective on positions, or to interrupt both of said circuits in its olf posi tion.

I have shown a stop lug 21 formed integrally with the terminal plate 21 and adapted to extend upwardly through a suitable opening 49 in base 15 into the path of the insulating plate 23 forming part of the bridging contactor. \Vith this arrangement it will be seen that the bridging contactor (see Fig. 3) may be moved in a clockwise direction from its off or neutral position into engagement with the pairs of stationary contacts 22", 19 and 21 18 sequentially, and thereafter in a reverse direction,-the move ment of said contactor in each direction being limited to an arc of less than one hundred eighty degrees. Obviously the location of a the stop lug may be changed if desired to provide a different switching combination. Thus by locating a stop lug in outwardly offset relation between either of the two groups of stationary contacts 21", 22 and 18", 19, the contactor may be constrained to move from either of its on positions to an intermediate oil position.such a stop lug being formed integrally with terminal plate 21 or integrally with either of the terminal plates 18 or 19.

The base 15 illustrated in Fig. 6 is adapted to function in combination with the contactor and actuator illustrated in Fig. 1 to provide aswitch having a single on position and a single off position,the openings 17 and 20 being adapted to receive the contactor in its 01f position, and corresponding in location and function to the openings 17 and 20 of Fig. 3. The openings 50 and 51 are located in a line at right angles to the line of openings 17 and 20", and the eyelets 50 51", terminal plates 50, 51 and binding screws 50, 51 are like the corresponding parts of the switch aforedescribed.

The stop lug for the bridging contactor might be formed integrally with one of the terminal plates 50 or 51, but I prefer to em ploy a separately formed piece 52, Figs. 6 and 7,which is provided with a cylindrical portion 52 to be inserted within a suitably shaped and properly located opening in base 15, so that the intermediate flange or shoulder 52 will rest upon the upper surface of base 15,the lower end of portion 52* being upset over the lower face of base 15. as indicated at 52, to secure said stop lug in position.

The switch base 15 illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is provided with a central opening 16 and with eight openings arranged symmetrically thereabout,the openings 17 screws 53. 54". 55" and 56 arranged in the manner shown. Tterminal plates 53" 54 and 55 are additionallyprovided with extruded projections or bosses 53, 54 and 55' which extend upwardly into corresponding openings in the base, to insure against displacement of said terminal plates with respect to the base,-one of said openings being shown at 5% in Fig. 9.

The common terminal plate 56 is provided with an integral lug 56 which extends upwardly through a corresponding opening 15 in base 15 in o the path of the bridging contractor to limit the degree of rotary movement of the latter. Thus the contactor may be moved from its off or neutral position into engagement with the pairs of eyelet contacts 53, 56; 54. 57 and 55, 58 sequentially and thereafter in a reverse direction. Thus assuming wiring of the switch to include the resistance elements 59 and 60 between the binding screws 53", 64; and 54 55 respectively, it will be apparent that the switch may be so wired as to provide for inclusion of both resistance elements in the circuit of a suitable translating device (such as a fan) upon bridging of eyelet contacts 53 and 56,'and for inclusion of resistance element 60 only upon bridging of eyelet contacts 54 and 57, and for, connection of such translating device directly across the line upon bridging of eyelet contacts 55 and 58. It will be understood that the otherelements of the switch illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 may be identical with the corresponding elements aforedescribed. O

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a modified form of switch,the modification merely ini'olving use of a relatively shorter bushing 36 and a correspondingly shorter actuating shaft 37. 1

As shown in Fig. 3 the upper surface of knob 42 is preferably provided with an arrow 61 or other s milar marking which may be utilized in conjunction with suitable legends or indicia upon the mounting board or panel (not shown) of the switch to indicate the position of the bridging contactor of the switch.

The bushings 36, 36 are preferably provided with clamping nuts 62 and 63 whereby the switches are adapted for one-hole mounting in panels or supports (not shown) of different thicknesses.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, in combination, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing, an actuating shaft comprising a flatpunched sheet metal member having one end penetrating said bushing and projecting upwardly therebeyond, a metal knob having a hollow shank to receive the u per end of said shaft, said shank and said 3 aft end being jointly swaged to permanently interlock the same against movement relatively to each other, said shank being adapted to bear against one end of said bushing, said shaft having-an integrallateral projection adjacent to'the other end of said bushing to bear against the latter, a contactor slidably mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and interlocked with the latterfor rotation thereby, a coiled compression spring interposed between said lateral projection and said contactor, and an'finsulating base supported in spaced relation to said bushing and adapted to retain said contactor in assembledv relation to said shaft.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing, an actuating shaft comprising a flat punched sheet metal member having one end penetrating said bushing and projecting upwardly therebeyond, a metal knob having a hollow shank to receive the upper end of said shaft, said shank and said shaft end .being jointly swaged to permanently interlock the same against movement relatively to each other, said shank being adapted to bear against one end of said bushing, said shaft having an integral lateral projection adjacent to the other end of said bushing to bear against the latter, a contactor slidably mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and interlocked with the latter for rotation thereby, a coiled compression spring interposed between said lateral projection and said contactor, and an insulating base supported in spaced relation to said bushing and adapted to retain said contactor in assembled relation to said shaft, said base having stationary contact elements to be engaged and disengaged by said contactor respectively upon rotation of said shaft.

3. In an electric switeh, in combination, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing, an actuating shaft comprising a flat punched sheet metal member having one end penetrating said bushing and projecting upwardly therebeyond, a metal knob having a hollow shank to receive the upper end of said shaft, said shank and said shaft end being jointly swaged to permanently interlock the same against movement relatively to each other, said shank being adapted to bearagainst one end of said bushing, said shaft having an integral lateral projection adjacent to the other end of said bushing to bear against the latter, a contactor slidably mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and interlocked with the latter for rotation thereby, a coiled compression spring interposed between said lateral projection and said contactor, an insulating base supported in spaced relation to said bushing and adapted to retain said contactor in assembled relation to said shaft, said base having stationary contact elements to be engaged and disengaged by said contactor re spectively upon rotation of said shaft, said contact elements each comprising an eyelet having a flared end thereof arranged in flush relation to the upper surface of said base, and wiring terminal plates over which the other ends of the respective eyelets are upset to secure said terminal plates to the base.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing, an actuating shaft comprising a flat punched sheet metal member having one end penetrating said bushing and projecting upwardly therebeyond, a metal knob having a hollow shank to receive the upper end of said shaft, said shank and said shaft end being jointly swaged to permanently interlock the same against movement relatively to each other, said shank being adapted to bear against one end of said bushing, said shaft having an integral lateral projection adjacent to the other end of said bushing to bear against the latter, a contactor slidably mounted upon the lower end of said shaft and interlocked with the latter for rotation thereby, a coiled compression spring interposed between said lateral projection and said contactor, and a flat punched plate of insulating material supported in spaced relation to said bushing, and adapted to retain said contactor in assembled relation to said shaft, said plate having a central opening within which a reduced end of said shaft is adapted to bear for centering of the latter.

5. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a fiat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having a. central opening and a multiplicity of openings arranged symmetrically around said central opening, eyelets penetrating certain of said openings and having flared ends arranged flush with the upper surface of said base, wiring terminal plates positioned on the lower surface of said base and secured thereto by said eyelets repectively, binding screws engaging tapped openings in said terminal plates, openingsin said base to accommodate the shanks of said binding screws, a metal housing rigidly secured to said base, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing secured to said housing, a fiat punched sheet metal shaft having projecting portions to bear against one end of said bushing, a knob rigidly secured to said shaft and adapted to bear against the opposite end of said bushing,

the lower end of said shaft being adapted to bear within said central opening in the base to be centered therebv, a punched plate of insulating material slidable upon'said shaft but interlocked against rotation with respect thereto, convex-headed rivets secured to said insulating plate for cooperation with said eyelets respectively to make or break circuit therebetween, said rivets having a bus member extending therebetween, and a coiled compression spring interposed between a part of said shaft and said insulating plate to bias said rivet heads into engagement with said base.

6. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having a central opening and a multiplicity of openings arranged symmetrically around said central opening, eyelets penetrating certain of said openings and having flared ends arranged flush with the upper surface of said base, wiring terminal plates positioned on the lower surface of said base and secured thereto by said eyelets respectively, binding screws engaging tapped openings in said terminal plates, openings in said base to accommodate the shanks of said binding screws, a metal housing rigidly secured to said base, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing secured to said housing, a flat punched sheet metal shaft having projecting portions to bear against one end of said bushing, a knob rigidly secured to said shaft and adapted to bear against the opposite end of said bushing, the lower end of said shaft being adapted to bear within said central opening in the base to be centered thereby, a punched plate of insulating material slidable upon said shaft but interlocked against rotation with respect thereto, convex-headed rivets secured to said insulating plate for cooperation with said eyelets respectively to make or break circuit therebetween, said rivets having a bus member extending therebetween, a coiled compression spring interposed between a part of said shaft and said insulating plate to bias said rivet heads into engagement with said base, and a stop projecting upwardly from said base in the pat-h of said insulating plate to limit the degree of rotation of the latter in opposite directions respectively.

7. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having a central opening and a multiplicity of openings arranged symmetrically around said central opening, eyelets penetrating certain of said openings and having flared ends arranged flush with the upper surface of said base, wiring terminal plates positioned on the lower surface of said base and secured thereto by said eyelets respectively, binding screws engaging tapped openings in said terminal plates, openings in said base to accommodate the shanks of said binding screws, a metal housing rigidly secured to said base, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing secured to said housing, a flat punched sheet metal shaft having projecting portions to bear against one end of said bushing, a knob rigidly secured to said shaft and adapted to bear against the opposite end of said bushing, the lower end of said shaft being adapted to bear within said central opening in the base to be centered thereby, a punched plate of insulating material slidable upon said shaft but interlocked against rotation with respect thereto, convex-headed rivets secured to said insulating plate for cooperation with said eyelets respectively to make or break circuit therebetween', said rivets having a bus member extending therebetween, a coiled compression spring interposed between a part of said shaft and said insulating plate to bias said rivet heads into engagement with said base, and a stop projecting upwardly from said base in the path of said insulating plate to limit the degree of rotation of the latter in opposite directions respectively, said stop comprising a lug formed integrally with one of said terminal plates.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, a contactor comprising a punched plate of insulating material, a punched metal plate adapted to lie against one face of said insulating plate, said plates having alined elongated intermediate openings and alined openings at opposite ends thereof, a pair of headed rivets having hollow shanks adapted to penetrate said last mentioned openings and upset over said insulating plate to secure said parts to each othe1, and a punched sheet metal actuating shaft having a portion penetrating said intermediate openings for driving engagement with said insulating plate,the intermediate opening in said metal plate being relatively large to provide clearance for said shaft.

9. In an electric switch, in combination, a contactor comprising a punched plate of'insulating material, a punched metal plate adapted to lie against one face of said insulating plate, said plates having alined elongated intermediate openings and alined openings at opposite endsthereof, a pair of beaded rivets having hollow shanks adapted to penetrate said last mentioned openings and upset over said insulating plate to secure said parts to each other, a punched sheet metal actuating shaft having a portion penetrating said intermediate openings for-driving engagement with said insulating plate, the intermediate opening in said metal plate being relatively large toprovide clearance for said shaft, a base comprising a punched plate of insulating material against which said contactor is adapted to bear, said base having a central opening to accommodate thelower end of said shaft, a plurality of symmetrically arranged openings in said base, eyelets in certain of said openings arranged fiush with the upper surface of said base, and wiring terminal plates located on the lower surface of said base and secured thereto by said eyelets respectively, certain of said terminal plates being common to a group of said eyelets.

10. In an electric switch, in combination, a contactor comprising a punched plate of insulating material, a punched metal plate adapted to lie against one face of said insulating plate, said plates having alined elongated intermediate openings and alined openings at opposite ends thereof, a pair of headed rivets having hollow shanks adapted to penetrate said last mentioned openings and upset over said insulating plate to secure said parts to each other, a punched sheet metal actuating shaft having a portion penetratingsaid intermediate openings for driving engagement with said insulating plate, the intermediate opening in said metal plate being relatively large to provide clearance for said shaft, a base comprising a punched plate of insulating material against which said contactor is adapted to bear, said base having a central opening to accommodate the lower end of said shaft, a plurality of symmertrically arranged openings in said base, eyelets in certain of said openings arranged flush with the upper surface of said base, wiring terminal plates located on the lower surface of said base and secured thereto by said eyelets respectively, certain of said terminal plates being common to a group of said eyelets, said base having another opening ofi'set outwardly at a corresponding angle to each of a pair of said symmetrically arranged openings, and a lug integral with GEORGE J. MEUER, 

